Well, it’s New Year’s Eve and even though this will get posted after that, I thought it was important to share my thoughts on how I’m feeling tonight. I’m 22 years old, and I’ve been in Africa doing volunteer work for 5 months now. In the past 8 months, I’ve graduated from a great University, taken two amazing vacations, had my wisdom teeth pulled out, and been invited to join the Peace Corps in Mali. Needless to say, I have a lot to be thankful for today. Pretty much everyday that I’m here I wonder if it’s the right thing to be doing. In my heart I know it is, but on the surface, things look so different. I could be in Washington D.C. or some other American city pursuing my Graduate Degree and partying every weekend and experiencing my 20’s “like they should be,” but instead I’m here. I’m jealous of all of my college friends doing the former – but let’s face it, I’ve never been one for doing things the easy way and I’m certainly not going to try to take the easy road in life.
That said, I have to wonder what sort of resolutions I can have on a night that I’m passing in rural Africa. I’ve already given up everything familiar to me by coming here, and it’s been a great experience so far, so I guess I can only look toward things to enhance my life while I’m here. Here’s a list, albeit short, of my 2007 New Year’s Resolutions:
-Study more Fulfulde and actually learn the language – this includes spending more time practicing with people instead of sitting in my room reading.
-Read 1 book every 2 weeks – at least.
-Think less about American “artificial” food.
-Explore Douentza and the Falaise more – do more hiking.
